Two-One-Two Zone

2-1-2 Zone

The 2-1-2 zone is a variation of the 2-3 zone defense. Whereas, the 2-3 zone is flat, protecting the baseline and corners, the 2-1-2 is a very compact zone protecting the middle. With, normally, an athletic defender playing the middle position, it allows the "Bigs" to be aligned on the blocks near the basket providing for strong rebounding. Because of its compact design, the 2-1-2 zone is susceptible to good outside shooting. Therefore, it is mainly used against poor outside shooting teams or to match up against a high post offense such as a 1-3-1 offensive alignment.

The middle person of the 2-1-2 is very active covering the high post when the ball is out in front and fronting the low post when the ball is on the wing or in the corner. Played to extreme, the 2-1-2 zone can be played with defenders having at least one foot in the "Paint" at all times.

2-1-2 Zone Shifts

	Home - Ball in the Middle Defender X1 is on ball and X2 is at the elbow. Defenders X3, X4, and X5 are above the block with X5 in front of the basket and X3 & X4 are positioned outside the three second area on the baseline.
	Ball on Left Wing Defender X2 is on ball, X1 moves to ballside elbow, X4 moves out towards the corner, X5 maintains a position between ball and basket, and X3 establishes a weakside rebounding position.
	Ball in Left Corner X4 on ball, X5 covers low post area, X3maintains a strong weakside rebounding position on baseline, X2 cuts off pass out of corner and X1 defends the high post area.
	Ball on Right Wing Defender X1 is on ball, X2 moves across to the elbow protecting the high post area. X3 steps out towards the corner, X5 maintains a position between ball and basket, and X4 assumes a weakside rebounding position.
	Ball in Right Corner Defender X3 is on ball, X5 covers low post area, X4 maintains a strong weakside rebounding position, X1 cuts off pass out of corner and X2 defends the high post area.
	Ball In the Middle When the ball is passed into the middle, defender X5 steps up jams the ballhandler forcing them toward a corner pushpoint. Outside defenders X1 and X2 collapse on to O5, while baseline defenders X4 & X5 collapse to the blocks protecting the basket area against "High/Low" post pass action.

2-1-2 Zone Shifts by Position

Ball in Corner X2 denies return pass and X1 covers "Elbow" area		Ball in Corner X1 denies return pass and X2 covers "Elbow" area
Ball on Wing X2 on ball and X1 covers "Elbow" area	Ball Out Front X1 or X2 takes ball forcing ball away from chaser's side	Ball on Wing X1 on ball and X2 covers "Elbow" area

Since the two outside defenders must move in unison and cover sideline to sideline. As a result, these two defenders are normally a team's quickest players.

Ball in Corner X5 3/4 denies post on baseline side		Ball in Corner X5 3/4 denies post on baseline side
Ball on Wing X5 fonts low post area	Ball Out Front X5 assumes a position in front of the basket	Ball on Wing X5 fonts low post area

The post is responsible for guarding the low post area maintianing a defensive position between the ball and the basket. This role is usually given to an aggressive, athletic player which can be very effective against a good post player.

Ball in Corner X4 on ball and X3 assumes a weakside rebounding position		Ball in Corner X3 on ball and X4 maintains a strong weakside rebounding position
Ball on Wing X4 moves out toward corner and X3 assumes a weakside rebounding positon	Ball Out Front X3 and X4 assume positions outside the three second area above the blocks	Ball on Wing X3 moves out toward corner and X4 assumes a weakside rebounding positon

In the 2-1-1 Zone, the two baseline players work opposite. Since one assumes a weakside rebounding position at all times, they should be highly skill defensive rebounders.

Adjustments & Variations